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So, what does this all mean? It means that I'm looking at leaving a company that I've spent 5 years working for. It means that I'm looking at providing training to graduates in India at some point next year. It means that I have 18 months to work out what the hell I'm going to do next after December 2005.
Ok, so many people don't get that much notice, and our bonus for staying and helping out with the training is fairly substantial (for the West Country, at least), but I have the prospect of looking for another job while providing for a wife and 1 year old (by the end of 2005) and it scares me a bit.
Do I change career paths completely? Go into Journalism or something else perhaps? Continue with finance? And, of course, the big one, could I consider moving to Spain to live instead?
It's all a bit confusing at present, but 18 months will fly by and who knows what the future holds? Perhaps this is my big life changing decision, who knows.
So, what does this all mean? It means that I'm looking at leaving a company that I've spent 5 years working for. It means that I'm looking at providing training to graduates in India at some point next year. It means that I have 18 months to work out what the hell I'm going to do next after December 2005.
Ok, so many people don't get that much notice, and our bonus for staying and helping out with the training is fairly substantial (for the West Country, at least), but I have the prospect of looking for another job while providing for a wife and 1 year old (by the end of 2005) and it scares me a bit.
Do I change career paths completely? Go into Journalism or something else perhaps? Continue with finance? And, of course, the big one, could I consider moving to Spain to live instead?
It's all a bit confusing at present, but 18 months will fly by and who knows what the future holds? Perhaps this is my big life changing decision, who knows.
This Wednesday coming, I'll be on the dole.
With six years commercial programming and analysis experience and a recently obtained degree I'm still unable to find a development job. I don't have commerical experience in .NET (I'm a pick programmer) and can't get a junior position due to my age (31 in November).
At the very least, I'll get an interview for a support role for 5 grand less than I'm currently on. If I get it, I'll be doing something that requires NO qualifications and that I absolutely despise big if i even get offered that. No interview as yet......
Well woopyf***kingdoo. Life is sweet.
> Do I change career paths completely? Go into Journalism or something
> else perhaps? Continue with finance? And, of course, the big one,
> could I consider moving to Spain to live instead?
The inherent problem with changing careers is that you often start at the bottom rung. However talented a writer you may be if you persued a career as a journalist you'd still be looking at a lowly paid job in a local or regional paper whilst you prove your worth. Of course you may choose to specialise but the outcome would probably be the same. Being a computer games journalist sounds great but the reality is pay in the region of 12-14k. Not that there's anything "wrong" with that sort of pay but it's not much good if you're already financially "encumbered".
Moving abroad with a young familly is also risky, as unless you are confident that you can integrate quickly and pick up a job that you want to do (thus you'll need to be fluent in the language; speaking and writing). That said you must have chosen Spain for a reason so why not go for it? You've got 18 months to start planning for the change in your circumstances and maybe this is an opportunity to do something you'd really like to do. Maybe you could consider moving to an English speaking country like Canada, New Zealand etc, where there are skills shortages and immigration might be made easier. That said the skills shortages are usually in areas such as plumbing and so on, thus retraining would have to be done before making any application(s).
I'm in a similar scenario myself as I've got two months left of my contract and the job I'm filling is being advertised to Gov staff only. I'm therefore out of a job and the clock is ticking. There is an opportunity on the horizon but I'm not sure if I want to stay in the London area anyway.
Anyway best of luck (if that's the right phrase) and I hope everything comes together for you.
At least you do have time on your side, and the best advice I can give is to start looking right away. If you put it off, those 18 months will creep up on you.
I'd also suggest trying to squeeze in a couple of courses that might be useful to you in the coming months too, before the baby arrives and you'll not have as much time for such things.
Good luck with it all.
I'm thinking of moving to Spain because, for those who don't already know, my wife is Spanish and, quite frankly, I feel much healthier out there. However, there is a worse problem with job availability there and I haven't cracked the language completely.
Also, because we are paid a completion bonus for seeing it through and redundancy, I can't leave until the end of next year, even if I do find a job.
Still, everything should turn out ok.
> Thanks for the support everyone!
>
> I'm thinking of moving to Spain because, for those who don't already
> know, my wife is Spanish and, quite frankly, I feel much healthier
> out there.
The Spanish are more family orientated too, from what I gather. My parents now live in Spain and everyone they meet regard their family as being of primary importance. And there's nothing like a bit of sun to make one feel healthy.
Meka's advice sounds good. To add to that, to be honest I think you'd have a tough time getting a decent career in Spain. I could be wrong, but that's a strong impression that I get. Have you looked into potential work over there?
I might have to give up on my masters next year, which means I'm looking to find a career-type job a.s.a.p.
Don't suppose anyone has any suggestions for decent careers do they ?
I'd like to find a job I enjoy, but I don't know where to begin..